Alexander wurts



(No Model.

A. WURTS. LIGHTNING ARRBSTER.

No. 434,371. Patented Aug. 12, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER WURTS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

LlGHTNlNG-ARRESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,371, dated August 12, 1890.

Application filed May 12, 1890. Serial No. 351,523. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: nected bythe conductor-2 with the main lineL Be it. known that I, ALEXANDER WURTS, a These electrodes B and B are supported upon citizen of the United States, residing in Pittsflexible springs or cords or pivoted arms C burg, in the county of Allegheny and State of and they are normally held toward the box so 5 Pennsylyania, have invented a certain new that they project through the openings 0' c toand useful Improvement in Li ghtning-Arrestward the electrode B. They are, however, movers, (Case N o. 403,) of which the following is able with reference to the box and the eleca specification. trode B, and any expansion of the air within The invention relates to the construction of the box, by reason of the heat developed by the IO devices for protecting electric circuits against electric current traversing the space between the injurious effects which are liable to rethe electrodes, will force them outward from sult from the flow of a generated electric curthe openings, thus interrupting any electric rent across the space between the dischargeare which might tend to persist across the points of a lightning-arresterafteralightningspace between the electrodes. Upon the ces- 15 discharge has taken place. sation of the are the electrodes will resume The invention consists in constructing the their former positions and be in positions to lightning-discharge device so that the elecreceive other lightning-discharges. trodes between which the lightning-discharge In another application filed by me, Serial takes place shall be automatically separated No. 351,961, I have shown the lightning-ar- 20 by the action of the heat developed by the rester here described and claimed in conneccurrent flowing. tion with certain apparatus for producing an The invention consists in connecting with initial separation of the electrodes under cerone side of an electric circuit an electrode tain circumstances. which is in proximity to a second electrode 1 claim as my invention- 2 normallyelectricallyconnected with the earth. 1. The combination, with an inclosing box The space between the two electrodes is to be or chamber, of two separated electrodes contraversed by the lightning-discharge, and the stituting discharge -point-s for electric ourparts are so organized that one of these elecrents, the one being movable with reference trodes will be moved with reference to the to the other and projecting through an open- 30 other by reason of the heat developed by the ing in the box or chamber. 8e are formed between the two electrodes and 2. The combination, with an in'closing chamwhich the current from the dynamo tends to her or box, of an electrode for lightning or maintain. other electric discharges, placed within the The invention will be further described in box, and a second electrode placed in-an aper- 3 5 connection with the accompanying drawing, ture in the box and movable with reference to which shows a vertical section of a device the first-named electrode, substantially as deemployed for carrying out the invention. scribed.

Referring to the figure,Grepresentsasource 3. The combination, with an inclosing box of electric currents, and L L main-line conor chamber, of an electrode electrically con- 0 ductors leading therefrom. nected with the earth, and two electrodes pro- A represents an inclosing box or chamber, jecting through openings in the walls of the and B an electrode, which may be of carbon, box into proximity to the first-named elecfor instance, or of other suitable material. trode and movably supported with reference This electrode is electrically connected with thereto, substantially as described.

45 the earth by the conductor 3. The electrode 4. The combination of an inclosing-cham- 5 B is contained Within the box A, and two other her, an electrode contained therein, and two electrodes 13 and B are placed in the in11ne electrodes movably supported with reference diate vicinity of the electrode B. The electhereto and placed in vents in the walls of trode B is connected by the conductor 1 with said chamber, substantially as described.

50 the main line L, and the electrode B is con- 5. In an apparatus for interrupting the flow of electric currents, two separated electrodes, one movable with reference to the other, a chamber within Which they are contained and through the walls of which one is movable 5 under the influence of the expansion of the air within the chamber, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of April, A. D.

ALEXANDER WURTS. Witnesses:

FRANCIS PETTIT MANN, JAMES W. SMITH. 

